About CRT
Funding and Independence
Sustainable funding is essential to CRT's long-term independence. This page describes the current funding position, the planned funding model, and the safeguards that will prevent any funder from exercising undue influence over the Commission's standards and decisions.
Current funding position
Currently founder-funded
The CRT Initiative is currently funded by the founder. No external investment, grants or commercial sponsorship has been received at this stage. All development costs are being borne personally by the founder.
Last updated: June 2026
This founding-stage funding approach has a direct implication for the pace of development. The initiative is progressing at a rate commensurate with the resources available. We prefer honest constraint to overstated capacity.
Planned revenue model
The long-term financial model for CRT is designed to achieve operational self-sufficiency without dependence on any single source. Planned revenue streams include:
- Membership subscriptions: Annual fees from professional and business members, tiered by membership category
- Certification fees: Fees for Foundation Certificate enrolment, assessment and certification
- Specialist module fees: Fees for specialist learning modules and CPD programmes
- Service fees: Fees for Trade Integrity Passport issuance, verification services and due diligence tools
- Platform access: Fees or commission arrangements associated with the trade platform
- Intelligence subscriptions: Fees for enhanced access to intelligence products
None of these revenue streams are yet active. Fees will be published on the Fees page once approved and confirmed.
Funding and independence
A professional body's credibility depends in part on its financial independence from the interests it regulates or certifies. CRT takes this seriously.
The following safeguards are proposed:
- No single source will provide more than a defined concentration limit of total annual income
- Funders and commercial partners will not hold governance positions that give them influence over standards or certification decisions
- Any conditions attached to funding or sponsorship will be disclosed publicly
- The financial accounts of the Commission, once established as a legal entity, will be published annually
These safeguards will be embedded in the constitutional documents of the legal entity when established.
Funding partners
No external funders at this stage
CRT has not received external investment, grants or commercial funding at this stage. The initiative is actively exploring appropriate funding partnerships that are consistent with its independence principles.
Last updated: June 2026
If you represent an organisation interested in supporting the CRT Initiative in a manner consistent with its governance and independence principles, see the Funding Partners page or contact us directly.